Thaddeus (Jude) the Apostle & Brother of Our Lord

The Apostle Jude was of the choir of the Twelve, and by Luke was called Jude, the brother of James the Brother of God (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13), and therefore also a kinsman of the Lord according to His humanity. But by Matthew (10:3), he is called Lebbaeus, surnamed Thaddeus (he is not the Thaddeus who healed the suffering of Abgar, as Eusebius says in his Eccl. Hist., 1:13; see Aug. 21). Saint Jude preached in Mesopotamia, Arabia, Idumea, and Syria, and, it is said, completed the path of his divine apostleship by martyrdom in Beirut in the year 80. Written after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, his is the last of the Catholic (General) Epistles to the believing Jews in the Diaspora. His name (a variant of Judah) means “Praise.”

Apolytikion of Apostle Jude in the First Tone

We know thee as a kinsman of Christ and we laud thee with sacred hymns and songs as a most steadfast Martyr who trampled on error and who courageously kept the Faith. As we celebrate today thy holy remembrance, we receive forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, O Jude, through thy holy prayers.

Kontakion of Apostle Jude in the First Tone

Sprung from a noble root, thou art risen before us, a branch bestowed by God, ever feeding the whole world upon the fruits of thy words, O eyewitness of God the Lord, O thou brother of our God, and Christ’s all-wise herald, who hast taught the Lord’s pure Orthodox Faith to all men, initiate of His grace.

Païsius the Great of Egypt

Our righteous Father Païsius the Great was born in Egypt about the year 300 and was consecrated to God as a monk at a young age. He together with Saint John the Short (commemorated Nov. 9) was trained in the ascetical life in Scete by the great Abba Pambo (July 18). He practised extreme fasting and vigil beyond the limits of human strength, and received many revelations of mysteries. The Saviour often appeared to him; once He appeared to him with two Angels, as He had to Abraham, and allowed him to wash His immaculate feet. When he was asked which virtue was the highest of all, he would answer, “That which is done in secret.” He reposed in peace in deep old age; his relics are found in the monastery of Amba Bishoy in Wadi Natrun (the ancient Nitria of Egypt), and to the present day they work healings and miracles.

Apolytikion of Païsius the Great in the Fourth Tone

The incarnate Angel, and the boast and summit of monks, the bodiless man, the citizen of Heaven, the great God-bearing Païsius celebrateth with us in divine jubilation, granting grace to all them that extol him with reverence. With fervour let us honour this day, off’ring him songs of praise.

Kontakion of Païsius the Great in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

With godly anthems, come, ye faithful, let us all acclaim the godly-wise and truly venerable Païsius, the true citizen and ornament of the desert, the most noble peer of Angels, the true friend of Christ, and the glory of monastics and ascetic Saints. Let us cry to him: Rejoice, O Father Païsius.

Methodios the Martyr, Bishop of Olympus

Because of his wisdom and virtue, St Methodios was surnamed Eubulos (“of good counsel”). He was an eminent theologian and one of the first to oppose and refute the heretical writings of Origen. According to Jerome and Socrates the historian, he was Bishop, not of Patara (as a sixth century work by Leontius the Byzantine wrongly asserts), but of Olympus in Lycia, and later, of Tyre in Phoenicia. It appears later writers called him Bishop of Patara, because his famous dialogue concerning the resurrection takes place in that city. He underwent a glorious death as a martyr in Chalkis of Greece in the year 311 AD, under Emperor Maximinus. Among his extant writings is one called Symposium of Virgins.

Dismissal Hymn for Saint Methodios (Fourth Tone)

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, you found discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, you also contested for the Faith even to blood, O Hieromartyr Methodios. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion (Fourth Tone)

As a priest of the mysteries of the Holy Trinity, and a preacher of the commandments of God that surpass understanding, you were the confirmation of Orthodox Christians, O Methodios! You denounced the errors of heretics; for the sake of the True Faith you shed your blood as a hieromartyr. Now as you stand before Christ with the angels, pray that we may be saved.

Nicholas Cabasilas

Saint Nicholas Cabasilas was born in 1322 A.D. in Thessaloniki. Very little is known about his life, but he is remembered through two texts he wrote: The Life in Christ and The Exposition of the Divine Liturgy. He lived at the same time as Saint Gregory Palamas (see 11/14 and the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent) and was an ally of his during the Hesychastic Controversy on Mount Athos in the 14th century.

The Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus

The Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus was born in the Asia Minor province of Cilicia. He was the son of a pagan senator, but his mother was a Christian. After the death of her husband, the mother of St. Julian moved to Tarsus, where her son was baptized and raised in Christian piety. When Julian reached age 18, a persecution against Christians began under the emperor Diocletian (284-305 AD).

Among those arrested was St Julian. They brought him before the governor Marcian for trial, and for a long time they urged him to renounce Christ. Neither tortures nor threats, nor promises of gifts and honours could convince the pious youth to offer pagan sacrifice and deny Christ. The holy confessor remained steadfast in his firm faith.

For a whole year they led the martyr through the cities of Cilicia, everywhere subjecting him to interrogation and tortures, after which they threw him in prison. St Julian’s mother followed after her son and prayed that the Lord would strengthen him. In the city of Aegea, she besought the governor to permit her to visit the prison, ostensibly to persuade her son to offer sacrifice to idols. She spent three days in prison with St Julian, exhorting him to be strong until the end. St Julian was again brought to stand before the governor.

Thinking that the mother had persuaded her son to submit to the imperial decree, the governor began to praise her prudence. However, suddenly she boldly confessed Jesus Christ, and even more fearlessly and boldly denounced polytheism. The governor then gave orders to cut off her feet, since she had accompanied her son from Tarsus. They tied the Martyr Julian into a sack, filled with sand and poisonous snakes, and threw it into the sea. The body of the sufferer was carried by the waves to the shores of Alexandria, and with reverence was buried by a certain pious Christian. The martyr’s death happened in about the year 305 AD. Afterwards his relics were transferred to Antioch. St John Chrysostom honoured the holy Martyr Julian with an encomium.

Dismissal Hymn (Fourth Tone)

Your Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for You received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from You, our immortal God. For since he possessed Your strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ powerless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful.

Kontakion (Second Tone)

Today we praise Julian, the unconquerable holy warrior, the champion and vessel of truth to whom we cry, Intercede with Christ our God for us

Terentios, Bishop of Iconium

Apolytikion of Hieromartyr Terentios of Iconius in the Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Terentios . Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

After the expulsion of Eudoxios from the See of Antioch, the Arians of Antioch, believing that Meletios of Armenia would uphold their doctrines, petitioned the Emperor Constantius to appoint Meletios Bishop of Antioch, while signing a document jointly with the Orthodox of Antioch, unanimously agreeing to Meletios ‘ appointment (Commemorated February 12); this document was entrusted to Eusebios, Bishop of Samosata. Meletios, however, after his Orthodoxy became apparent, was banished, and the Arians persuaded Constantius to demand the document back from Eusebios, as it convicted their perfidy. Imperial officers were sent; Eusebios refused to surrender the document without the consent of all who had signed it; the officers returned to the Emperor, who furiously sent them back to Eusebios with threats. But so great a zealot for the true Faith, so staunch an enemy of the Arians, so fearless a man of valour was St Eusebios, that when Constantius’ officers arrived, threatening to cut off his right hand unless he surrendered the document, Eusebios held out both hands. When Constantius learned of it, he was struck with astonishment and admiration.

This took place in 361 AD, the last year of the reign of Constantius; he was succeeded by Julian the Apostate, who was slain in Persia in 363 AD; Jovian succeeded Julian, and Valentinian succeeded Jovian in 364 AD, making his brother Valens Emperor of the East. Valens, who supported the Arians, exiled Eusebios to Thrace in 374 AD. The bearer of the edict of Eusebios’ banishment arrived in the evening; Eusebios bade him keep silence, or else the people, learning why he had come, would drown him: and Eusebios, though an old man, left his house alone on foot by night. After Valens was slain at Adrianopole in 378 AD, the holy Eusebios returned from exile under the Emperor Gratian, and he ordained for the churches of Syria men known for their virtue and Orthodoxy. About the year 380 AD, as he was entering a certain village to enthrone its bishop, whom he had consecrated, an Arian woman threw a clay tile from the roof, and it crushed his head; as he was dying, he bound the bystanders with oaths that they not take the least vengeance. St Gregory the Theologian addressed several letters to him; he had such reverence for him, that in one letter to him, commending himself to St Eusebios’ prayers, he said, “That such a man should deign to be my patron also in his prayers will gain for me, I am persuaded, as much strength as I should have gained through one of the holy martyrs”.

Dismissal Hymn (Fourth Tone)

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, you found discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, you also contested for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Eusebios. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion (Fourth Tone)

Having lived as a hierarch in piety and walked the path of martyrdom, you extinguished idolatrous sacrifice, O Hierarch Eusebios. Wherefore as you have boldness before Christ our God, entreat Him to save our souls.

We Also Celebrate Today:

Zenon the Martyr & his servant Zenas of PhiladelphiaAnastasios the Serbian

The Holy Martyr Agrippina of Rome

The Holy Martyr Agrippina, was by birth a Roman. She did not wish to enter into marriage, and totally dedicated her life to God. During the time of persecution against Christians under the emperor Valerian (253-259 AD) the saint went before the court and bravely confessed her faith in Christ, for which she was given over to torture. They beat the holy virgin with sticks so severely that her bones broke. Afterwards they put St Agrippina in chains, but an angel freed her from her bonds.

The holy confessor died from the tortures she endured. The Christians Bassa, Paula and Agathonike secretly took the body of the holy martyr and transported it to Sicily, where many miracles were worked at her grave. In the eleventh century, the relics of the holy Martyr Agrippina were transferred to Constantinople.

Dismissal Hymn (Fourth Tone)

O Lord Jesus, Your lamb cries out to You with a great voice, “O my Bridegroom, You I love; and seeking You, I now contest, and with Your baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You; for Your sake I die, that I may live in You; accept me offered out of longing to You as a spotless sacrifice”. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since You are great in mercy.

Kontakion (Fourth Tone)

The radiant day of your illustrious struggles has dawned, on which the divine Church assembles to honour you, and to cry out to you with gladness, “Rejoice, O virgin and martyr, O most-honoured Agrippina!”

Apolytikion of The First Thursday after Pentecost in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You.

We Also Celebrate Today:

Holy Martyrs Aristocleus the Priest, Demetrius the Deacon and Athanasius the Reader

The Holy New Archpriest Martyrs Gerasimus of Crete, Neophytos of Knossos, Joachim of Cherronisos, Hierotheos of Lampi, Zachariah of Sitia, Joachim of Petra, Gerasimos of Rethymno, Kallinikos of Kydonia, Melchizedek of Kissamos, Kallinikos of Diopolos, and those Martyred with Them (1821-1822)

The Nativity of the Honourable Forerunner, Saint John the Baptist

Behold I send my messenger before your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight”. Saint John’s is the only saint’s birthday celebrated throughout the church calendar year. Saint John is remembered on three other days as well, but they all deal with the discovery of his Holy relics.

His father, Zacharias, a Hebrew priest, was struck dumb by the Archangel Gabriel at the altar when he would not believe the archangel’s news that his wife Elizabeth (a very old woman) would conceive a son. He got his voice back when writing, on the day of the child’s circumcision, that his name would be John. When Herod sent soldiers to kill the infants in Jerusalem in search of Jesus, Saint John also was at risk. Elizabeth hid the baby, and in anger Herod had Zacharias killed near the temple. Elizabeth hid in a cave with the baby and died when he was forty days old. St. John remained in the wilderness where he was raised by angels. The presence of St. John and his disciples was not felt until about one year before the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. He preached repentance in the wilderness and not the cities, and the crowds came to him. He is known as the Baptist and Forerunner of Christ, because of his role in preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Dismissal Hymn (Fourth Tone)

Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, although we cannot praise you worthily, we honour you in love at your nativity, for by it you ended your father’s silence and your mother’s barrenness, proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!

Kontakion (Third Tone)

Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ’s Forerunner, who is the fulfilment of every prophecy; for in the Jordan, when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets, he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.

We Also Celebrate Today:

Elizabeth, Mother of the ForerunnerPanagiotis the New MartyrAthanasios Parios

Leavetaking of the Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist

Apolytikion of Apodosis of the Forerunner in the Fourth Tone

O Prophet and Forerunner of the presence of Christ, we who fervently honor you cannot worthily praise you. For by your revered and glorious birth the barrenness of your mother and the muteness of your father were unbound, and the incarnation of the Son of God is proclaimed to the world.

Kontakion of Apodosis of the Forerunner in the Third Tone

She that once was barren doth today bring forth Christ’s Forerunner, John, the culmination and the crown of all the Prophets. For when he, in River Jordan, laid his hand on Him Whom the Prophets preached aforetime, he was revealed as God the Word’s fore-chosen Prophet, His mighty preacher, and His Forerunner in grace.

The Virgin Martyr Fevronia

The Virgin Martyr Fevronia suffered during the reign of Diocletian (284-305 AD). She was raised at a monastery in the city of Sivapolis (Assyria). The head of the women’s monastery was the abbess Bryaena, the aunt of St Fevronia. Being concerned about her niece’s salvation, she assigned her a stricter form of life than the other nuns. According to their monastic rule, on Fridays the sisters put aside their other duties and spent the whole day in prayer and the reading of Holy Scripture. The abbess usually assigned the reading to St Fevronia. News of her pious life spread throughout the city. The illustrious young widow Hieria, a pagan, began to visit her, and under the influence of her guidance and prayer she accepted holy Baptism, bringing her parents and kinsfolk to the Christian Faith.

Diocletian sent a detachment of soldiers to Assyria under the command of Lysimachus, Selinus and Primus for the destruction of Christians. Selenos, the uncle of Lysimachus, was noted for his fierce attitude against Christians, but Lysimachus was of a different frame of mind from him, since his mother had sought to inspire love for the Christian faith in her son, and she had died a Christian. Lysimachus had discussed with his kinsman Primus how it would be possible to deliver Christians from the hands of the torturer. When the detachment of soldiers approached the convent, its inhabitants hid. There remained only the abbess Bryaena, her helper Thomais and St Fevronia, who was seriously ill at the time.

Dismissal Hymn (Fourth Tone)

O Lord Jesus, Your lamb cries out to You with a great voice, “O my Bridegroom, You I love; and seeking You, I now contest, and with Your baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You; for Your sake I die, that I may live in You; accept me offered out of longing to You as a spotless sacrifice”. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since You are great in mercy.

Kontakion (Third Tone)

In ascetic discipline, you were made fair as a virgin; then, O famed Fevronia, you shiniest forth as a martyr; with you lamp in hand, you ran to your Bridegroom, having watched through the night of martyric sufferings. And since you are crowned in glory, you intercede for them that praise you with faith.

We Also Celebrate Today:

Prokopios the New MartyrDionysius & Dometios the Righteous of Mount AthosMethodius of NevritosOrentios, Pharmakios, Eros, Phirmos, Phirminos, Kyriakos, and Longinos the Martyrs and Brothers

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

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